09 March, 2006

Sister Christian

I can no longer hear "Sister Christian" without thinking of that crazed coke dealer in Boogie Nights.

I remember when I first heard it in High School. It was one of those dozen or two songs that I wasn't sure if I should listen to. I kind of thought it might be one of those "come on, girl, sleep with me already!" tunes. My boyfriend had taken great pleasure in playing "Only The Good Die Young" on the tape deck of his truck. It was his not-so-subtle way of telling me I should quit with the whole prissy-virgin thing and give him what he wanted. Not only did it not work, it led me to resent Billy Joel for years.

After I broke up with him I heard "Paradise (By The Dashboard Light)" for the first time and felt vindicated. Years later I still think of him whenever I hear "Unanswered Prayers".

Pretty much any popular song from '83-'88 reminds me of someone I went to high school with, dated or worked alongside. "Sister Christian" used to remind me of Chad Colbert and Bill Hayes playing air guitar. Now all I see is that crazy fat guy in his bathrobe fiddling with the stereo knobs and freaking out the two porn guys. Clearly the movies are far more interesting than High School.